Normal Theater
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Why it's listed
Opened on November 18, 1937, the Normal Theater is a movie house in downtown Normal, Illinois, designed by Bloomington architect Arthur F. Moratz. Built during the Great Depression for $150,000, it was the first theater in Bloomington-Normal made specifically for sound films. Its ivory stucco facade is banded with black vitrolite and topped by a red curved vertical tower and a neon-lit marquee. Inside, stenciled walls, a stepped ceiling with neon coves and indirect lighting carry the Art Moderne theme. The nomination describes it as the only Art Moderne building in Normal. A chain owner divided the auditorium in 1985, covering or removing some original features, and closed it in 1991. The Town of Normal bought the building that year and carried out a restoration of nearly one million dollars, returning it to its 1937 appearance. It reopened in October 1994 and was later honored with a statewide preservation award.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the theater is a good example of the Art Moderne style and the only Art Moderne building in Normal. It was also the first theater in Bloomington-Normal built specifically for sound films. Its exterior and interior were restored to their 1937 appearance in the 1990s.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000818, listed July 25, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 209 North St., Normal |
|---|---|
| County | McLean County |
| Listed | July 25, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000818 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1937 |
| Architect / builder | Moratz, Arthur F., Architect |
| Architectural style | Art Moderne |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored by the Town of Normal and reopened in October 1994; it shows classic, art and foreign films and also serves as a community performing arts and meeting venue. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.50923, -88.98657 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000818.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7051785
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.